The commission spent an extended session debating whether to recommend voter approval of compensation for mayor and council. Commissioners discussed peer-city averages, prior ballot results and potential impacts on candidate diversity. Speaker 12 presented survey data showing Central Texas peer averages around $4,575 for council members and $7,169 for mayors; commissioners noted the last local ballot had proposed $9,000 for council and $12,000 for the mayor and failed.

Speakers made competing points: some argued a modest stipend would reduce barriers for working or lower-income residents to serve; others said elected office is traditionally voluntary and that the prior ballot loss argues for a lower number that might pass. The commission debated options (three monthly tiers: $500, $1,000, $2,000) and whether to tie compensation to attendance, to create a review board, or to tie pay changes to population.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Speaker 3 moved to amend Article 3.04 to set council compensation at $500 per month and mayor compensation at 1.5× (i.e., $750 per month). The motion was seconded and passed by a hand/voice count.

What it would do: If placed on the ballot and approved by voters, the amendment would codify a monthly stipend (equivalently $6,000 per year for council members, $9,000 for the mayor) with existing reimbursement provisions preserved; commissioners discussed but did not finalize whether the pay would start immediately or after an election cycle — the body expressed a preference to have pay become effective when the amendment takes effect and to have discussion at the attorney-drafting stage about timing.

Representative quote: "If you come to the council meetings, you'll see what they do or how they're prepared," said Speaker 9, arguing the work and time commitments justify a stipend.